Author and professor Dr. Mike Arnold gears up for a crocodile hunt in Mozambique’s Massingir region. With advice from Kevin “Doctari” Robertson and a precision setup featuring Hornady ammunition, the pressure’s on to place the perfect shot. Read on to see how science and plenty of preparation come together in pursuit of one of Africa’s most formidable reptiles.

I really enjoy my interactions with Kevin “Doctari” Robertson. Whether chatting at the Dallas Safari Club Convention, or over the phone, he always provides great information, on everything from the biology of Cape Buffaloes to the establishment of university programs studying the Exotic wildlife raised throughout the US. Recently, however, Kevin’s expertise led to a panic attack for yours truly. You probably need some context.

One of my best friends (don’t tell him I wrote that) is Mark Haldane, co-owner of Zambeze Delta Safaris. One of my favorite places in the world is Zambeze Delta Safaris’ concession in Mozambique, Coutada 11. Resurrection of this biological paradise came through the tireless efforts of Mark, his partner Carlos Pacheco Faria and many, many others. Along with my wife Frances, I’ve spent months in “C-11”, resulting in many trophies taken, and adventures featured in many magazine articles, and indeed an entire book. So, when Mark mentioned the leasing of a new property in far southern Mozambique, called Massingir, with an invitation for a safari, I asked about species not hunted in C-11. Mark ran through the list, and when he mentioned crocodiles, I asked whether they were plentiful, and large. In answer, Mark sent me a drone-generated video of crocodile sunning themselves along Lake Massingir. He called the video ‘croc porn’, and for someone keen on obtaining this iconic African species, it was. I immediately booked dates with Mark, telling him that my long-suffering (and non-hunter) spouse would be there again as photographer-videographer.

This is the stage at which, Doctari entered the picture, both for good and bad. I am NOT suggesting Kevin did anything wrong. Instead, the bad was also good in that his book, The Perfect Shot II, showed me the size and location of the spinal column I must hit if my trophy crocodile is not to end up, in the words of Craig Boddington, “A very expensive splash!” Simply put, the target is a few inches in diameter, placing a premium on the accuracy of rifle, ammunition, and of course, shooter.

I’ve written this many times, but when I need accurate, dependable ammunition for hunting, I turn to Hornady Manufacturing. This isn’t hyperbole. I’ve written a number of reviews (e.g. here and here) showing the effectiveness, in the field, of Hornady products. From whitetails to Mountain zebra, to leopards to elk, Hornady cartridges and bullets downed animals for me with a single shot. This time around, I needed both accuracy, and the ability of a cartridge and bullet to reach and shatter the thick spine of an animal that liked to eat people. No, I’m not suggesting I’ll end up a meal, I’m just saying the spine belongs to a tough, potential maneater.

The choice of rifle chambering came from discussions with Mark H — the suggestion of a .300 Winchester Magnum was his. The specific ammunition resulted from discussions with Seth Swerczek. With the need for a heavy, accurate bullet and load, Seth suggested I test out the Precision Hunter — 200gr ELDx and Outfitter — 180gr CX ammunition. I agreed, with the only caveat being that he send enough cartridges of each to not only collect accuracy data but, also for me to go to the range several times before my safari. I REALLY felt the need for developing muscle memory with ammunition and rifle before I tried hitting a crocodile’s spine…dang that Doctari!

Of course, even with the Hornady ammunition providing the needed cartridge components for accuracy, there also had to be a very accurate rifle through which to put said ammunition. Enter my friends at Blaser Group US located in San Antonio, TX. As usual, with a single call to their marketing guru, Shannon Jackson, a Blaser R8 Ultimate with muzzle brake and recoil reduction pad topped with a Blaser B2 3–18x50 iC QDC+ riflescope with QD Saddle Mount headed my way.

While waiting the few days for the rifle and ammunition to converge on my home in Bishop, Georgia, I planned out the experimental design (remember, science nerd here) for my range work. I would use both the bench and my standing rest from 4StableSticks. The shots from the bench provided a baseline for accuracy and trajectory, though quite often in collecting accuracy data I end up with better results from my fieldrest than the bench. I am not certain why this is the case, except that, after sight-in, I only fire from my Ultimate Carbon rest, and so fire many more rounds using this method of stabilizing the rifle.

I used the sighting-in shots for checking the muzzle velocity. Velocity, plus the bullet weight contribute to the energy both at the muzzle, and most importantly downrange. Regardless of accuracy, I have no intention of firing at a crocodile’s small spine from more than 100 yards. With that in mind, the muzzle velocities, as measured by my LabRadar, of 2823 + 11.4 fps and 2882 + 8.4 fps for the 200-grain ELDx and 180-grain CX equate to ~3253 ft-lbs and 3044 ft-lbs at 100 yards. This reflects more than sufficient power to fracture a crocodile’s spine…as long as I hit it!

The bar graph shows the accuracy of both loads at 100 and 200-yards. As stated, my PH will get me within 100-yards, or I won’t take the shot. However, I always practice past the maximum distance I’ll likely shoot while hunting. The results speak for themselves. As a reminder, 1xMOA translates into group diameters of approximately 1 and 2 inches at 100 and 200-yards, respectively; the accuracy with both loads was excellent. All the way out to 200-yards, three shot groups stayed within two inches. Given a correct hold, two inches will be more than enough accuracy for striking a crocodile in the spine, immobilizing the animal on the spot. With the two different cartridges resulting in very similar levels of precision, I chose the loads topped with the heavier ELDx bullet for my safari. Adjusting the Blaser B2 riflescope such that the 200-grain projectile struck one inch above the bull at 100-yards, it was only two inches low at 200-yards.

Several recent trips to the range, firing a box of shells each time, resulted in a growing confidence. As I write, Frances and I are about three hours out of Johannesburg where we will overnight at the Africa Sky Guesthouse. Tomorrow, we will load into another plane, gun and ammunition in tow and head for Maputo, Mozambique. Once in Maputo, a four-hour drive will deliver us to the lovely Massingir camp. That’s when the fun starts. I really hope I can place the 200-grain ELDx into Kevin “Doctari” Robertson’s sweet spot for crocodiles!

Author profile

Mike Arnold is professor and Head of the Department of Genetics at the University of Georgia and author of the 2022 book, BRINGING BACK THE LIONS: International Hunters, Local Tribespeople, and the Miraculous Rescue of a Doomed Ecosystem in Mozambique. Mike’s book is available for purchase now at bringingbackthelions.com. You can find a description of Mike’s travels, talks, and articles at mikearnoldoutdoors.com.